Chi Meiya
Chapter 69 Morale Slightly Low
"Scandal! UEFA Doesn't Want Norwich to Advance to the Quarterfinals!"
"Black Whistle! Rocastle's Referee License Should Be Revoked!"
Norwich's local media frantically attacked UEFA and the referee.
Meanwhile, online, various football bloggers kept analyzing replays of Rosicky's tackle on Philip.
In the end, most people concluded that it was indeed a foul.
If it were just a misjudgment, it wouldn't have caused such a big impact.
But this misjudgment directly led to Sanchez receiving the ball and scoring, allowing Arsenal to narrowly take a draw away from Carrow Road.
Moreover, the blow to Norwich's players' morale was immeasurable; everyone's efforts were almost in vain.
Their struggles throughout the match were rendered futile by this one decision.
As for the media close to Arsenal, they naturally wouldn't report on this controversial call.
"Arsenal, With One Less Player, Tenaciously Equalizes!"
"Sanchez Fully Demonstrates Killer Instinct, Calmly Scores!"
"Norwich, the Emirates Stadium Welcomes You!"
Regarding this decision, the referee on duty, Rocastle, naturally chose to remain silent. Even if it was a mistake, he wouldn't come out at this time to tell everyone that it was his fault.
It wasn't that he lacked responsibility, but at the height of the storm, admitting his mistake would bring enormous public pressure.
It would cause a lot of trouble for him personally, his friends, and even his family, as well as UEFA.
Perhaps someday in the future, when people have gradually forgotten, he will talk about this wrong decision to make himself feel better.
Just like countless misjudgments on the football field, they will be met with countless scoldings and accusations at the time, but after time passes, they will be forgotten.
Norwich fans kept cursing and regretting.
But they couldn't change the result.
They could only hope that their team could fiercely strike Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium and vent their anger.
However, Arsenal, with one less player, could still gain the advantage and take a draw away from home. When they arrive at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal has the right time, right place, and right people. How can Norwich fight?
In the weekend league game, many Norwich players were obviously affected by the result of this misjudgment and were somewhat absent-minded.
Moreover, under the tight schedule, their bodies were a little tired, and they were completely supported by a spirit.
The draw against Arsenal caused a certain blow to their morale, and it seemed that their physical fitness was also limited.
They lost 0:3 to Bournemouth away.
This was the most painful defeat in nearly twenty league games.
Farke gave his players a day and a half off, and then kept holding meetings to cheer them up.
He needed them to cheer up and challenge the energetic Arsenal away.
And the loss of this game almost made all the media bearish on Norwich's game against Arsenal.
After all, Norwich's own strength is not as good as Arsenal's. It can be said that they have been able to stalemate with Arsenal for so long, entirely because Arsenal was sent off a player and was playing away.
Now Arsenal is ready to go, with no league pressure and playing at home.
In the first game, they equalized the score before the end of the game under extremely unfavorable circumstances, which was very encouraging to their morale.
On the other hand, Norwich lost a good game before the end of the first leg of the knockout round, their morale was low, and the league was defeated. No matter their spirit, physical fitness, or even skills, they cannot be compared with Arsenal. How could they win?
The loss of the ball at the last moment in the first game against Arsenal was indeed like a fuse, causing Norwich players to be psychologically unbalanced. The league also lost, and their morale was even lower.
It is normal to have a considerable blow to their confidence and to doubt themselves.
The more you win, the more you win, the more you lose, the more you lose!
"Do you think we will win against Norwich?" Before the game, the North London media interviewed fans on the street.
It's a way to please fans.
"Of course we will win, you should ask how much we will win!" A fan holding an Arsenal flag shouted excitedly at the camera.
"Norwich eliminated Manchester United! How can you have so much confidence?" The reporter's expression was exaggerated. Isn't it too arrogant?
"Manchester United? Can Manchester United compare with us?"
"Moreover, Manchester United won Norwich at home! It's just that they lost too much away! Our home will definitely be stronger than Manchester United! At least win them by three!!"
"Norwich's Dragon Country player Zhao shined at Old Trafford. Do you think he will win our respect at the Emirates Stadium?"
"Impossible! Did you see his performance in the first game? He was invisible throughout the game! He only sent out an assist with a lot of luck! Arsenal will prevent him from receiving the ball! Our fans will boo him until he doubts his life!
He can score goals and assists in the Championship! But when facing the Premier League, he is nothing!
We will beat him and Norwich to a pulp!!"
Arsenal fans are full of confidence. Eliminating Manchester United? That's because Manchester United had problems themselves. Otherwise, Arsenal's opponent would be Manchester United now!
Arsenal would feel a sense of accomplishment in eliminating Manchester United, but there is really no fun in defeating Norwich to advance!
When Norwich left the training base and headed to North London, many fans gathered together.
Waving flags, their faces full of expectation and longing.
Even though Zhao Gang had seen such scenes many times, each time he was very touched.
"Norwich will win!!!"
"Zhao, good luck!! You will definitely defeat them!!"
"Hilo! Pass the ball more!"
"Os, knock them over!!"
"Come on, come on!!!"
The players waved to the fans, feeling a little heavy.
When the team's performance goes wrong, it is very common for confidence to decline.
At this time, someone who can make a final decision needs to stand up and tell them, we can win!
Hilo can do it, but he was in poor condition in the last league game. His words can give the players a shot, briefly excite the players, but it is difficult for them to continue to believe that they can win Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Now Norwich players want to see the young man who doesn't like passionate speeches stand up and tell them, you believe! Believe me! I will kick the ball into Arsenal's goal!
When Norwich players arrived at the Emirates Stadium, they were surrounded by red and white.
There were banners and slogans all around that Arsenal would win.
Not only does Norwich have its own loyal fans, but every team has its supporters.
And Norwich's fans seem particularly small in North London.
"Hey! Zhao! Come to our Arsenal!"
"Arsenal has the best fans in the world!"
"Arsenal will make you a world-class star!"
Still, many fans saw Zhao Gang's performance and knew that this kid would definitely have considerable achievements in the future.
Moreover, after the first game, Wenger gave an interview and praised Zhao Gang vigorously, showing extra expectations for him.
Cazorla and Rosicky also talked about Zhao Gang.
His vision and spirituality are definitely not something he should have at this age. If he continues to develop like this, he will definitely become a world-class player.
Coupled with some media's sensational reports, which were actually news released by Wenger.
It said that Zhao Gang had eaten a meal with Wenger and was very much looking forward to Arsenal and Wenger.
So many Arsenal fans paid special attention to Zhao Gang.
Of course, fans rarely have the same voice. There are fans who welcome Zhao Gang and hope he can come to Arsenal. Naturally, there are fans who spray trash talk and affect Zhao Gang's mentality.
If one day in the future, Zhao Gang really goes to Arsenal, when he has a good performance, these fans will also be the loudest in cheering.
They are the purest and most direct.
Just like when Zhao Gang first joined Norwich, those fans' scolding of him was not only directed at him, but also at the team, their disappointment with the team's performance, and their disappointment with everyone in the team.
They had scolded everyone, and now that a newcomer came, they just had an outlet for venting.
And when Zhao Gang has a good performance, it is the same group of people who can't wait to treat Zhao Gang as their father.
In the world of fans, there is only football, pure and direct.